"If we can just get it behind us, we'll be fine," was how Griffey put his impending landmark on Sunday, in a numb Reds clubhouse, after a 7-1 lead turned into a frightening 10-8 loss. A week ago, after Griffey hit two out in a miracle comeback win, we suggested the Reds might never lose again. Can we amend that?

"It's one of those things where guys just don't want to mess up," Griffey explained. "We've all been there. Look at a no-hitter."

Griffey is being overly harsh on himself. His pursuit of 500 - and the media's growing fascination with it, and him - might be a big distraction. But it's nothing compared with the complete meltdown the Reds have suffered in the last week. As football coaches like to say, it has been a total team effort.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos: Junior hits No. 499

Pitchers don't walk 10 batters because they're preoccupied with No. 500. Fielders don't make knuckleheaded decisions because Junior's 500th is troubling their judgment.

The Reds of the past week decided to forget everything Dave Miley and his staff pounded into them in March. In the three games this weekend, Cincinnati blew leads in successive games of 5-2, 5-1 and 7-1. They were so casual in the field, Miley had to call a Sunday meeting that bore little resemblance to the regular chapel service.

"I came out pretty strong," Miley said. "I don't think I'll have another one tomorrow."

It wouldn't make a difference, unless a speech could revive the lately awful bullpen, bring back Barry Larkin or get Cory Lidle back on track. In his last two starts, the No. 2 starter has allowed 15 earned runs in nine innings.

After Saturday's non-effort, Miley suggested he'd make some changes. Given the Reds' thin bench and thinner minor leagues, it was an empty threat. He could call up someone to replace shaky Phil Norton or invisible Joe Valentine. But really, why? Who in Louisville is worth the transaction?

Management could make a move to show Reds fans they're trying to right the ship. Again, what's the point? Do you bring up Brandon Claussen or Scott Randall just for the sake of the move? Reds fans are smarter than that.

Claussen is 4-4 with a 5.89 ERA. Randall is 1-2 in middle relief. Yeah, that'd shake things up.

If the cold, lonely summer predicted before the season is here, at least it will allow general manager Dan O'Brien to proceed with the rebuilding-on-the-cheap plan he has been asked to install. All Miley can do is what he did Sunday, small tweaking. Sometimes it works, as it did when Wily Mo Pena hit a grand-slam home run. Sometimes it doesn't, as with every bullpen move in the last seven days.

As for Griffey, he did get No. 499 Sunday. It was a no-doubter leading off the third, a typical Junior Griffey rope that went 399 feet in about a second, a bullet train landing 10 rows into the right-field seats. Griffey has never been one for the towering 400-footer. Most of his blasts move like they're running from the law.

Griffey next batted in the fourth with two outs and runners at the corners. Cliff Lee's first pitch sailed behind Griffey, head high. As half the Reds roster stood poised and angry on the top step of the visitors' dugout, home plate umpire Matt Hollowell couldn't eject Lee fast enough.

Kaz Tadano came in and Griffey hit a fly ball to the wall in right. Cleveland's Jody Gerut caught it with his back touching the Office Max logo. Close, but no relief.

"Those are going to happen," Griffey said. "I just try to hit the ball solid and move on. I hit (that ball) off the end (of the bat)."

The Watch moves on to Philly, to the beat of a dirge. The longer it takes, the less a celebration it becomes. "We're in it as a team," Griffey reiterated. Win or lose.

Lately, the latter.

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E-mail pdaugherty@enquirer.com

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